Brushed versus Brushless In a brushed motor, electrical energy is transferred to the armature via metal parts called brushes that contact a rotating part of the motor called a commutator. Because there is physical contact between stationary and moving parts, wear will occur, and over time (appx 3000 miles), the brushes will have to be replaced. Brushed motors require a relatively simple controller. Brushless motors have no wear parts inside the motor. The end result is a motor with no theoretical life limit. Brushless motors require more sophisticated controllers than brushed motors, and there are more connections from the motor to the controller. The Phoenix motor has three windings. Power is applied to an individual winding depending on where the motor is in its revolution. The feedback that gives the controller position information is provided by a separate multi-conductor wire that carries signals from hall-effect sensors inside the motor. As the motor approaches the maximum electromagnetic pull from one winding, the controller moves the power to the next winding to keep the motor turning.